TWEEDDALE Youth Action has received a cheque of £400 from the Rotary Club of Peebles.

The money was raised by the club’s Great Pigeon Race during the agriculture show in August.

Peebles-based TYA is the lead organisation for youth work provision throughout Tweeddale.

From the base in the Old Corn Exchange at the top of School Brae they offer young people a safe alternative to street corners for their two weekly evening drop-ins on Wednesdays from 6pm until 8pm and Fridays from 7pm until 10pm.

They work with young people in a variety of ways including: ::1:1 mentoring and support.

::Providing volunteering opportunities, both within their organisation and through their partner organisations, ::Physical and fitness, including regular football, dance and fitness as well as one off trips to places such as the EICA, ice skating, skate parks, football matches etc.

::Film, music and cookery projects.

::Day trips and residential visits ::Employability skills including CV writing and supporting access to services such as literacy, numeracy and mental health services They also have a youth forum - Youth Choices - which decides on activities, fund-raising strategies and recruitment of staff and volunteers.

Dave Hodson, the locality manager said: “We’re extremely grateful for the £400 donation from the Rotary Club of Peebles.

“Running a free to use youth service for all to enjoy is an expensive business and contributions such as this are vital to our survival. Since our project began in 1999 we have had a huge impact on young people’s lives and have helped hundreds of young people through their transition from childhood to adulthood.”